|
|
|
Memory |
|
Organizers
Supplements
Safeguards
Strategies
Book Excerpt
|
|
|
|
Medications |
 Know
Your Medications
Catch
Rx Errors
|
|
|
|
Medications Can Cause
Dry-Mouth |
|
An article in the March 10, 2000 issue of
The Wall Street Journal noted that dry mouth is a common side effect
of more than 500 medications.
"The biggest culprits are
psychiatric drugs--including... Paxil, Zoloft, Xanax, and
Valium--and blood-pressure medicines." By blocking the
body's signal to produce saliva, such drugs may cause serious tooth
decay.
To combat dry mouth:
 | Drink plenty of liquids |
| Suck on ice chips |
| Rinse your mouth frequently |
| Dunk or soak foods in liquids |
| Eat sweet or tart foods, if you don't
have sores in your mouth |
| Add extra gravies, sauces, salad
dressing |
| Use artificial saliva |
Individuals taking medication that lists dry
mouth as a side effect should also visit the dentist frequently. A
high-fluoride toothpaste may be prescribed. |
|
|
Know your medications
The days of blindly taking whatever the doctor prescribes are
gone (if they ever existed). With managed care, HMOs, etc., you can not
depend on your physician being well acquainted with your history and health
conditions.
To protect yourself, you need to become an active partner in
your medication program. This includes understanding why certain
medications have been prescribed.
Studies show that patients who have accurate information about
their drug regimens are much more likely to follow through than those
without. Knowledgeable patients are also better able to evaluate how a new
prescription is affecting them.
Get answers
It's time to get a handle on your prescriptions. For each
one, you
want to learn:
|
the name of the medicine -
both trade name and
generic/chemical name |
|
the strength of the medicine |
|
the correct dosage (four ounces, two pills, etc.) |
|
the dosage schedule (once daily, morning and evening, on empty
stomach, etc.) |
|
how long to take |
|
what it should do |
|
possible side effects (the expected and the dangerous) and
what you should do if they occur |
|
potential food/drug interactions (Be doubly safe:
check with your pharmacist and on-line at www.planetrx.com
or a similar site) |
|
precautions you should follow while taking the drug |
When it comes to medications, ignorance is definitely not
bliss. So start asking questions.
Get organized
You will need some system for organizing what you know. Our
free Medication Record
can help. Better yet, use an inexpensive IdentiMed
System to gain control of your medication schedule.
Another option is to computerize your records. Information on medications can
be combined with other family health data, including physicians, health
conditions, treatments, tests, etc. and stored on your personal computer.
| If you wish to forget anything on the spot, make a note that this thing is to
be remembered. Edgar Allan Poe, Marginalia (1844-49) |
|
|
|
|
Products
that help you B... |
|
B organized
with
memory joggers, medication reminders, timers &
watches
B
able
with assistive technology,
disability & daily living aids
B
fit with exercise balls, Therabands,
Airex mats, hand exercisers
B
well with organic products
& natural therapies
B
inspired
with books, CDs, software,
games, puzzles, toys
|
|
|
|
